No signs of labor?

Question

I'm 40 weeks pregnant and had a dr. appt. today. No dilation, only 50% effaced (for the past 3 weeks) and have NO contractions. What does this mean? Will I need to be induced? Has anyone been in my shoes before? Help, I'm very worried that I'm not making progress.

My due date is very accurate according to my charting AND first trimester ultrasound.

Answer 1

It could be any day now, I went through the same thing, %50 effaced and no dilation to two days later being fully effaced and two centimeters and sent home, to going into full blow labor at 2 am in the morning. You could go any day now......get as much sleep as you can and good luck!

Answer 2

You could dilate and finish "effacing" today, tomorrow or you'll need to be induced. Your doctor will probably talk about inducing in the next 2 weeks, since they don't like you to go over 2 weeks "late". Remember a "due date" is only an estimate. Don't worry if you need to be "induced". It makes labor harder and more intense but it all works out in the end.

Answer 3

I am pregnant with my fourth and I have had the Dr. tell me that there is NO chance of me going into labor within the next 2 weeks and within 48 hours... have a baby! They can only give you text book answers because no pregnancy or baby is alike. The big tell-tell sign is the mucous plug. If you have lost that then you should not have too much longer to wait. They have threatened to induce me every single time. Don't worry. That baby will come when it is ready

Answer 4

Labor induction should only be done when there are signs of fetal distress. Get yourself up and walk, walk, walk. Gravity is your friend! Some babies just need to "cook" longer ~ 40 weeks is not unusual. Eat well, and walk as much as you can; if you're being sedentary, your system will respond in kind. Effacement is good!! It is a starting sign of the birth process.Also, the more uptight you are can actually hinder the onset of labor. I stopped my labor as a result of tension, and maybe emotionally relaxing & effluerage. . .rub the fear away.
Hope your baby's beautiful!

Answer 5

Well you shouldn't be worried, the doctors will let you know if there is ever anything to worry about during your pregnancy so don't worry unless they worry :)
But if your wanting to speed things along, here are some tips;
1) Walk, If you are having contractions but are not yet in labor, walking can help get things going. Walking allows your hips to sway side to side, which will help bring the baby into position to be born. Also, by standing upright, you're using gravity to move the baby down into the pelvis. Another plus: It usually feels good to walk when you are contracting. And of course, even if you don't go into full-blown labor, at least you're getting some exercise.
2) SEX can be one of the last things on a woman's mind toward the end of her pregnancy. She feels clumsy and big and may be experiencing a lot of vaginal pressure. But believe it or not, sex is one of the things you can do to get your labor under way. When you and your partner make love, his semen (which contains prostaglandins) can stimulate contractions.
3) Castor oil-For decades, women have been using castor oil to help induce labor. In fact, many old school physicians and midwives swear by it. It can provide good results if you are already in early labor. It is believed to work by causing spasms in the intestines, which surround the uterus toward the end of pregnancy. These spasms, in turn, cause the uterus to cramp, which might result in labor.
You can take 1 to 4 ounces of castor oil mixed with 6 ounces of orange juice to cut its oiliness. You'll want to drink it quickly because of the unpleasant taste. Some practitioners suggest taking a single dose; others suggest repeated doses depending on your response. Keep in mind that castor oil usually will cause your bowels to empty within about three hours. With luck, soon after that, you will be in true labor.
4) Blue and black cohosh-These herbs are used often to induce labor. They may be particularly effective if you are having weak or irregular contractions. Blue cohosh is believed to make uterine contractions stronger, while black cohosh may regulate the contractions. Together, they work to make contractions more effective. Unfortunately, no studies have determined that these natural treatments are safe, or whether all versions of the herb available for purchase are of equal potency. Be sure to discuss any herbal treatment with your practitioner before attempting it, to see if it is a good idea in your situation.

Many of these natural labor-inducing approaches can be effective if your body is ready to deliver your baby. To be successful, most of these techniques require you to be having contractions or perhaps in early labor.
Don't worry, though--whether one of these measures works or your body still needs more time, your little one will be joining your family soon. Try to be patient; you'll have a lifetime together when he finally does arrive.

GOOD LUCK to you!!!
Toni Lynne =)

Answer 6

Don't worry! Not every baby delivers at 40 weeks. Your dates might have been slightly off or, the baby just isn't ready.

Either way, you are being monitored and your doctor will not lwt you go too far past your due date. Just keep hydrating and do your light exercises and enjoy these last few days before you deliver.

Best wishes!

Answer 7

Your doctor may wait another week or two if the baby is not in any danger. If you are really worried call your doctor and ask what his plans are for you and the baby. Good Luck & Congrats!!

Answer 8

I can relate , so much I am not dialated but my pelvis feels ilike its gonna break. hope you dontn have to get induced